Cam Jansen and The Mystery of the UFO

Fifth-grade sleuth Cam (Jennifer) Jansen and her best friend, Eric Shelton, return in this second beginning chapter-book mystery, this time confronting some mysterious lights over their local park. As everyone around them becomes convinced that it must be UFOs, Cam drags Eric into the park to investigate, and they discover that it is all a prank being played by a young man who is determined to win a photography contest. Fortunately, Cam and Eric are there to foil the plot, and all ends well...

At a slight 58 pages, Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the U.F.O. is a book intended for young people who have graduated from leveled beginning readers and are just getting going with longer chapter-books. Although the two main characters are in fifth show more grade, I recall reading this series at a younger age, in the third grade or so. Children tend to like to read about characters who are slightly older than they are, I find. This one was originally published in 1980, and there are elements of the story - particularly the almost complete freedom the two main characters are given by their parents - that I think would be unlikely in today's world. Leaving that aside, this is a fun story, and although I thought the narrative developments were anything but surprising, during this adult reread, I recall finding it quite suspenseful as a girl. Recommended to beginning chapter-book readers who enjoy mystery stories. show less

Cam and her friend Eddie are in search of pictures for Eddie's photograph contest, and are in the right place at the right time to see mysterious floating lights in the sky. They join a crowd of excited people who think they are witnessing a UFO encounter, but Cam is not convinced. She persuades Eddie to head to the park where the lights originated, and they do a little sleuthing. Her photographic memory and his camera are useful tools, and they even use the help of the kitten Cam saved from a tree. The trio find evidence: a pile of kicked-off clothing, aluminum foil, flashlights. What is the mystery of the UFO lights?

The book is a beginning reader chapter book, with the requisite short chapters and restricted vocabulary. Stories for show more this reading level need to be simple enough that the emergent readers can finish them, but still be fun and entertaining and complete. Cam Jansen fulfills all the requirements. The story is interesting, the characters are rounded, and the ending is satisfying. Not only that, this is a mystery series for children, and the author does a good job of creating a puzzle that is intriguing but not too difficult for the young audience. Cam and Eddie are lovable children who I would happily read more about. They are not that complex, but I know this is a series, so I'm sure we learn much more about them over time. The book has the charm of childhood and light humor, and offers enough enticements to draw in the new reader. I enjoyed it, and I think my girls will, too, when they are older. show less

Not surprised that it's number two... the reader doesn't get a chance to look for clues or piece them together at all. And Cam & Eric destroy someone's property. And adopt a kitten, no drama from parents.

Also I didn't realize these kids are in fifth-grade. The books are very slim, short, and simple.

I am a fan of this series, but not my favorite book in the series. But I love the girl character, Cam Jensen. She is adventurous, and the book is full of suspense. I am happy to find a series centered around a happy little girl. I recommend this for earlier readers.

I must recommend these and see how well they're received. I read two of them (and will copy this to the other) and I thought the concept of the main character in a children's mystery having a photographic memory was very cool. And Cam was a great character too. The writing seemed to instill excitement and a sense of such activity that made the story fun.

Cam and Eric solve the mystery of the U.F.O. (spoiler: it was a group of kids trying to enter a photography contest even though one of them was officially too old).

This is a story about a girl and her friend who want to win a photography contest and end up getting a picture of a UFO. This book is fun because of her gift to track down and solve thrilling and puzzling mysteries.